anadians are proud of their citizenship. We value the rights and freedoms, and accept the responsibilities, that this status gives us. Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) manages the application process and guides applicants through the steps to becoming Canadian citizens. CIC staff process citizenship applications, requests for proof of citizenship and searches of citizenship records.

The last thing you need to do to become a citizen is take the Oath of Citizenship and receive your certificate. This is done at a citizenship ceremony. A citizenship judge usually presides over the ceremony.

For many individuals and families, the citizenship ceremony is the realization of a dream. It is a formalized rite of passage that marks your entry into the Canadian family. Children under 14 years of age are not required to attend or take the Oath but they are more than welcome to do so. Citizenship ceremonies take place all across the country and throughout the year.

There are special ceremonies on Canada Day, during Citizenship Week and at other times of the year.

Vancouver Citizenship Ceremony
A citizenship ceremony involving 60 new Canadians from 35 countries was held on April 19, 2008 at 9:30 am at Library Square Conference Center, 350 West Georgia Street. The ceremony was presided over by The Honourable Judge William Day, Citizenship Commission.

Keynote speeches were made by The Honourable Mobina Jaffer, Senator, The Senate of Canada; Allan Seckel, QC, Deputy Attorney General, Ministry of Attorney General of British Columbia; The Honourable Chief Judge Hugh Stansfield, Provincial Court of British Columbia; and Sophia Yee, Manager, Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

Our thanks to Anne Wong and the staff at Citizenship and Immigration Canada for coordinating the citizenship ceremony.

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